How to Be Saved

What’s My Biggest Problem?

We all face problems in life at one time or another. Some of our biggest problems are a lack of money, poor health, relationship troubles, and running out of time. Although each of these problems are significant, they all have one trait in common: They all cease to be a ‘problem’ when we die. However there is one problem that follows each of us through the grave: this is the problem of “sin.”

1. Sins of Commission: This is whenever we do what God commanded us not to do: “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4)
2. Sins of Omission: This is when we don’t do what God commanded us to do: “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
3. Sins of Conscience: This is when we do something that we personally feel is wrong, even if God never said it was: “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23, note: Romans 14 is addressing the question “is it o.k. for Christians to eat meat or not?”)

What Does Sin Do to Me?

If we look at sin the way the Bible defines it, then ever single one of us are guilty of sin. What does that mean for us? God tells us “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). We understand that a “wage” is something we earn. God is telling us that the moment we first sinned we earned death.

But you might say, “Wait a minute, why didn’t I drop dead the first time I sinned then?” The Bible defines the word “death” as a separation. We are physically dead when our spirit and body are separated from each other: “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead,” (James 2:26). So if death is a separation, what becomes separated when we sin? Notice what God’s prophet Isaiah wrote:

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1–2)

The moment we sin, we become separated from God. So what’s the big deal? Why doesn’t God just say “It’s okay, I forgive you”? The problem is that God, by His very nature, is completely holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). Since God’s nature is absolute holiness, He cannot have a relationship with anyone who has been tainted with sin (this would tarnish His holiness). That’s why Isaiah said, “your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

What Are My Options to Take Care of My Sin Problem?

Now that leaves you and I in a horrible predicament. It’s like the bridge between God and us has collapsed and we’re standing at the edge with no way to cross. What are our options?

1. We could stop sinning and just do good deeds. But that option won’t work because our sins make all of those good deeds look like garbage. We still haven’t taken care of sin!

“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

2. We could offer God sacrifices. But that option won’t work either! God did set up a sacrifice system for the Jews and that system was never able to remove our sin problem because no earthly sacrifice is perfect enough to take away our sins. If God’s sacrificial system didn’t take away sins, are we going to come up with a better one?

“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)

It is clear that we’re absolutely hopeless on our own…but thank God that we’re not on our own! Our God loved you and I so much that He already came up with the solution to our problem even before He created the world!

“knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you” (1 Peter 1:18–20)

How Can I be Redeemed by Christ’s Blood?

When we first become aware of how our sins have separated us from God we ask the question, “How can I get saved?” or “What must I do to be saved?” Essentially we’re wanting to know how to be a Christian. Fortunately God’s word tells exactly how to be saved. God offers us the free gift of grace in Jesus Christ. All God wants is for us to accept that gift from Him. To accept God’s grace, God commands us to: